The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-03-17

ana Of these churches but oue was Consregs-
eationnl. Tho necd Of moro societios Of this
denomination was obvious, and was met BY
prompt action on tho part Of several prominent
Christian gentlemen.
Reports Of tho popularity and renown Of Mr..
Beecher, Of indianapolis, had already aroused
Eastern interest In the man and his preachings.
and through the influence Of his friend and ad-
vocate, Mr. William p. Cutter Of New York,
Mr.. Beechcr, who was then in that city, was
asked 70 preside at the opening Of the new Con.
grcgationnl Church in Brooklyn, May 10, is47.
Mr.. Beechers discourses produced strong Inn
preston upon his audience, and at o subsequent
meeting in June, is47, ut which the name Of Ply
mouth Church was adopted, he WINS elected unan-
imously by the society to the psstorate, and an
immediate invitation was given him TO assume
the position. In March, 1870, the pastor was to-
ken with o severe illness, which confined him to
the house for two months and disabled him
from preaching until September, nor did he rs-
cover his full strength until the winter. In
Jnnc. 1850, the society, Of its own accord, gave
him leave Of absence to visit Europe, and he
did not return until September. In 1855 the so
ciety. at the request Of o number Of eminent
clergymen and others, voted him Q leave Of nb-
sence TO traverse the country in behalf Of tho
cause Of Liberty. then felt to be in peril. In
June, 1853, the society requested him to revisit
Europe for his health, which he did, returning in
November. With these exceptions the pastor
hos laborod steadily at his post since l847 ut oil
times other than the regular summer vacation
which lasts on the average six weeks.
Several Inducements were held out TO Mr..
Beecher to leave Plymouth Church, but in vain.
In 1870 Mr. Beecher was editor in chief and a
principal owner Of the ChristidN Union. which
was then rapidly increasing It's circulation and
influence. He hnd been formerly the editor oi
the Hndependent Journal OF similar character
the editorial chnir Of which he resigned in favor
Of Theodore Tiiton.
What is known as the Beecher-Tiltou scandal
| Is still fresh In the mind Of the newspaper
reader. Mr.. Beecher submitted tho whole mat
ter TO the investigation Of q committee consist.
ing Of some Of the most eminent and respected
members Of his church md society. They re-
ported unanimously, after giving Mr.. Tilton3a
fual hearing that the charge was entirely false
and this report was unanimously adopted by the
church and congregation.
Mr.. Beechers four children arc oil grown ur
md married. His eldest son, Colonel Henr,
Barton Bcecher. is @ well-known insurance
| man In Brooklyn. Major William G. Beechei
is lawyer, and the youngest, Herbee,
Beccher. IL Collector Of Customs at Port
land, Orc. His only daughter is married
70 New England clergyman, Rev. Mr.
Scoviile. Mr.. Beecher spent his sum
mers st his country homo ut Peelsskill, on the
Hudson. Hero his farm has ono Of the rares
| and finest collections of trees and shrubs to N
found on ony private American denesne.
Mr.. Beechcr stood without rival as pulpit
| orator; he wns on ardent lover ofnature In al
her moods; his theology embraced all seets; hi
| was u wonderful social and political force wher
he chose TO exercise his strength in these sphere
his style Of Oratory was dramatic bat never the
ntrical; his intuition was rapid md aocurnte
his analytic powers ncvcr took the direction o
distractions; no was intensely practical; hi
personal magnetism was large; Illustrations b!
metaphors and comparison cnmo natural to him
| he h0d tho keenest sense of humoy; In q word
he was giant among the intellectual giants .
his day.